Indiana Code
Ind. Code § 35-47-2-18 (2026)
Removing a firearm's serial number or possessing a firearm with a removed serial number
✓ current as of May 2026
Sec. 18. (a) No person shall:
(1) remove, obliterate, or alter the importer or manufacturer's serial number on any firearm; or
(2) possess any firearm on which the importer or manufacturer's serial number has been removed, obliterated, or altered.
(b) A person who knowingly or intentionally violates this section commits a Level 5 felony.
As added by P.L.311-1983, SEC.32. Amended by P.L.158-2013, SEC.582; P.L.142-2020, SEC.73.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11
cases, 1996–2017 · leading case: Chambliss v. State, 746 N.E.2d 73 (Ind. 2001).
Chambliss v. State, 746 N.E.2d 73 (Ind. 2001). “The examiner also testified that he was able to restore the serial number by smoothing the area with sandpapers and using cleaning acids.”
Lamont Carpenter v. State of Indiana, 15 N.E.3d 1075 (Ind. Ct. App. 2014). “See Ind.Code § 35-47-2-18. Carpenter, an SVF, had constructive possession of a gun which also had altered identifying marks.”
Allen v. State, 787 N.E.2d 473 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003). “Ind.Code § 35-47-2-18. 5 . Ind.Code § 35-48-4-10.”
Matthew James Cole v. State of Indiana, 69 N.E.3d 552 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017). “]” Ind. Code § 35-47-2-18 . This court has interpreted this statute to also require the State to prove that the defendant knew that the handgun had been altered.”
Robinson v. State, 730 N.E.2d 185 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000). “See Ind.Code § 35-47-2-18. 3 . See Ind.Code § 35-48-4-6(a).”
Hanson v. State, 704 N.E.2d 152 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999). “Ind.Code § 35-47-2-18(2) provides: No person shall possess any handgun on which the name of the maker, model, manufacturer’s serial number, or other mark of identification has been changed, altered, *156 removed or obliterated; except as provided by applicable United States…”
Robles v. State, 758 N.E.2d 581 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001). “Cope §§ 35-47-2-18 and 35-47-2-23(b). 2 . Id. § 35-45-9-3.”
Crayton-Howell v. State, 663 N.E.2d 227 (Ind. Ct. App. 1996). “CODE §§ 35-47-2-18 and 35-47-2-23(b). . IND. CODE §§ 35-47-2-1 and 35-47-2-23(c).”
William S. Matherly v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.) (Ind. Ct. App. 2017). “2 Ind. Code § 35-47-2-18 (1983) and Ind. Code § 35-47-2-23 (1997).”
Juan Carlos Brown v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.) (Ind. Ct. App. 2015). “6 I.C. § 35-47-2-18. 7 I.C. § 35-48-4-13. Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A04-1505-CR-454 | December 14, 2015 Page 2 of 8 a Narcotic Drug and Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in a Narcotic Drug, each as a Class A felony.”
Terry L. Abbott v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.) (Ind. Ct. App. 2017). “Code § 35-47-2-18 . Most of the serial number on the handgun at issue had been scratched out.”
— Ind. Code § 35-47-2-18(2) — 2 cases
Lamont Carpenter v. State of Indiana, 15 N.E.3d 1075 (Ind. Ct. App. 2014). “See Ind.Code § 35-47-2-18. Carpenter, an SVF, had constructive possession of a gun which also had altered identifying marks.”
Hanson v. State, 704 N.E.2d 152 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999). “Ind.Code § 35-47-2-18(2) provides: No person shall possess any handgun on which the name of the maker, model, manufacturer’s serial number, or other mark of identification has been changed, altered, *156 removed or obliterated; except as provided by applicable United States…”
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